Coptic Solidarity A video recording made on December 14, 2013 of Dr. Yusuf al-Burhami, a leading cleric in Egypt’s Salafi movement, was recently publicized on Arabic media due to its controversial nature. In the video, Burhami says that “Destroying churches is permissible—as long as the destruction does not bring harm to Muslims, such as false claims that Muslims are … [Read more...]
Maronite Church Invaded, Hole Dug by Altar
In late February, "unknown persons” invaded Mar Elias, an ancient Maronite church in Bekaa, Lebanon. Along with damaging one of the church’s windows, they destroyed a portion of the flooring, as they dug a large hole near the altar (see pictures below). According to Maronite Bishop Joseph Mouwad, much of the church’s sacred items were left intact and not stolen. Instead, … [Read more...]
Islamic State: All Churches in Cairo Must Be Destroyed
Hussein bin Mahmoud, a jurist of Sharia law for the Islamic State, said in an article published on February 17 and appearing in various jihadi websites that all Christian churches in Cairo must be demolished. Titled the “Ruling on Egypt’s Christians,” the article, written like a fatwa, asserts that The ruling concerning the churches that are in Cairo is that they be destroyed, … [Read more...]
Pakistan: Catholic Congregation Held Hostage, Church Robbed by Armed Men
On February 19 around nine in the morning, three armed men entered Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic church in Kasur district, Punjab, which is 97% Muslim, and took church personnel, the assistant parish priest Father Ijaz Bashir, and congregation hostage. Before leaving the premises the terrorists stole mobile telephones, cameras and a computer. This is not the first time the … [Read more...]
Coptic Monks Lay Before Bulldozers to Protect Ancient Christian Site, Muslim Workers Yell ‘Allahu Akbar!’
A project to build a road around Fayum, Egypt, crosses the territory around the Coptic monastery of St. Macarius and threatens to destroy the ancient archaeological site around a church dating from the 4th century, or some 300 years before Islam was born and invaded Coptic Egypt. In response, the monastery's monks have objected with passive resistance -- laying their bodies … [Read more...]